Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-21
A LAME EXCUSE
For the Outrageous Negligence of the
Police In Toronto.

For the Outrageous Negligence OF the
Police In Toronto.
TORONTO, ONT, May 2O.-The Mayor
has received the following letter from Chief
Of Police Grassett in reference to the at
tack upon VIM. O'Brien:
His Worship W. H. HerrIdHd, Mayor Of
Toronto:
SIR have the honor to furnish you
with the following facts relative to what
transpired on Wednesday evening in con-
neetion with Mr.. O'Brien, from which Yoa
will see the police department is in no way
10 blame for not providing adeqrate pro-
lection on that occasion. From what ap-
peared in the papers and through the
representative of a New York pa
per, who called at my office
Wednesday morning, I was led to believe
that it was Mr.. O'Brien's intention to
leave Toronto for the east the same even
ing. Accordingly, gave directions to
have the necessary precautions taken to
insure his safe departure from the hotel
aud railway station. When it was found
both the outgoing trains had left the
Union station without Mr. 0'Brien, the
officer in charge Of the man, concluding
that there was no further need of their ser
vices, sent them back to their divis-
ions. Two men, however, were sta
toned at the hotel, and a patrol
sergeant was in the immediate
neighborhood. Shortly after 3 o'clock
Mr.. O'Brien with friend appeared at the
door and was Immediately recognized by
the crowd in the vicinity, some of whom
raised a cheer, while others groaned.
When the Patrol Sergeant saw that Mr.
O'Brien intended taking walk he strongly
urged him not to venture out on foot, as it
was unsafe to do so without strong escort
of police. This advice Mr.. 0'Brien did
not choose to accept, so the Sergeant, with
the other two constables, followed to rem
der all the assistance in their power in
case Mr.. O'Brien should be attacked.
1t soon became apparent that Mr..
O'Brien had chosen an untimely hour
to walk abroad, but instead of retrac-
ing his steps to the hotel, which he could
have reached in safety, he turned down
Bay street. Here it was that few stones
were thrown, and while the three police
men were endeavoring to keep the crowd
in check, Mr.. 0'Brien took TO his heels
and ran till he reached LaylOr's shop on
Wellington street, through which he passed
to the rear, eventually getting in his hotel
by the back premises, which he did within
ten minutes from the time he started out.
The mob continued to throw stones
and broke the windows of Laylor's shop
the darkness preventing the constables
from seeing who were the aggressors. Had
the crowd really intended to lay violent
hands upon Mr.. O'Brien they could have
done so without serious opposition, but
such daes not appear to have been their
purpose, and it is believed their object
was to frighten him more than anything
else. After Mr. 0'Bricn had made good
his escape the crowd assembled in front of
his hotel and continued cheering and
singing until midnight, when they
quietly dispersed. Such, in brief, is
what occurred, so far rs Mr..
O'Brien was concerned. In conclusion, l
would say that if the gentleman who left
word at the police headquarters of Mr..
O'Brien's movements Tuesday had given
any intimation of his programme for We'd
nesday, an ample force of police would
have attended to protect him wherever he
went. The statements that have appeared
! in print as to the occurrences of Wcdnes-
day evening have been much exaggerated,
and, | am afraid, give undue importance to
what under ordinary circumstances would
not have been regarded rs very serious
matter, though it is to be regretted that
Mr. O'Brien was not permitted to come
and 90 without any interference from the
citizens of Toronto, who are usually so
peaceful and law abiding | have the
honor to be, sir,
Your Obedient servant,
H. J. GRASsETT, c. c.